“CTO with strong track record in technology software product development and proven ability to build high-performance teams in international locations. Work closely with executives on strategies for entering new markets.”

The second example includes just one additional word, but the metrics and strength of the language clearly position the candidate as an executive leader.

Need some ideas and examples of executive-level terminology? Try a Google search on “executive resume samples” to see the word choice, tone, and presentation styles that win interviews.

2 – Your leadership impact on the company is missing.

Reaching an executive or Director-level role is a career game-changer, requiring your focus to shift from your department to the strategic direction of the company.

Yet, many executives write their resumes as if their function is isolated – with little effect on the rest of the firm.

Case in point: This “Before” version of a CFO resume describes taking on the IT functions of a company, spelling out only tactical details:

“Maintained facilities, offsite storage, and software licensing to support company investment in IT and communications systems.”

In reality, these systems played a crucial part in accelerating the company’s growth, and the AFTER (more relevant) statement looks like this:

“Set stage for growth with IT automation solutions; managed first infrastructure, vendor, and solutions used in HR, tax accounting, and regulatory drug filings.”

BEFORE: Consider this phrase on another example of an IT Director resume:

“Held responsibility for the strategic direction and leadership of the enterprise architecture.”

AFTER: A whole-company perspective changes the tone of the sentence:

“Headed IT enterprise architecture strategy that positioned company for expansion, leading infrastructure improvements and upgrades supplying 34% additional network capacity.”

These changes illustrate ways your executive resume can show strategic impact, rather than merely focusing on the tactical duties required of your position.

3 – You didn’t provide metrics on your achievements or span of authority.

When writing your executive resume, specific and quantifiable figures are critical. A leadership resume that lacks metrics is difficult for recruiters to navigate, as it requires them to make assumptions about the positive effects of your work.

Not sure where to start in adding figures to your resume? Look for phrases used in lieu of a figure, such as “significantly” or “substantially.” These words can often be replaced with a dollar amount, percentage, or range of numbers.

At a minimum, ensure your executive resume contains these figures, which help quantify the scope of your leadership roles:

* Size of teams or budgets managed
* Division or company specifications in terms of volume of employees or revenue
* Market rank for your employer in a particular segment (if prominent)
* Increases in EBITDA or profit margins
* Contract or cost savings

If you’ve made changes to operational efficiency or productivity, for example, you can specify the time savings gained. Roles in major projects, such as data center consolidations or Six Sigma initiatives that cut expenses, can also verify your ability to create impactful change.

If you can’t recall (or don’t wish to disclose) specific dollar figures, consider using percentages to quantify accomplishments. For example, you may have led teams that produced 82% of the overall company revenue, or drove a change in hiring practices that saved 15% per employee.

Your executive resume NEEDS quantifiable achievements and figures! Without them, hiring authorities can’t discern the difference between your experience and that of a lower-level candidate.

Overall, taking a fresh look at your executive resume – and comparing it to documents used by other leadership candidates – can be a valuable exercise.

There are numerous, yet straightforward, ways to strengthen the tone and presentation of your resume, enabling you to project more confidence and expedite the process of landing the right leadership role.

About the Author

Laura Smith-Proulx of An Expert Resume is an executive resume writer and former recruiter who partners with CEO, CIO, COO, CFO, CTO, SVP, and Director candidates to win interviews at major corporations. A certified Professional Resume Writer, Online Professional Networking Strategist, Career Management Coach, Interview Coach, and Microblogging Career Strategist, she is a multiple award-winning resume writer and author of How to Get Hired Faster: 60+ Proven Tips & Resources to Access the Hidden Job Market.